Chapter_10_Field Research

Question 1

2 Problems of Control in Field Settings

Answer 1

1. Control Over Variables
2. Control Over Research Populations

Question 2

Problems with Control Over Variables

Answer 2

1. limited control over their independent variable
2. recording of observations is especially difficult
3. limited control over extraneous variables

Question 3

Problems with Control Over Research Populations

Answer 3

1. natural settings may also be based
   on unrepresentative samples
2. impossible to randomly assign

Question 4

Field experiments

Answer 4

balance between control and naturalism in research
- by studying people’s natural behavioral responses to manipulated IVs in natural settings

Question 5

Settings and Sample

Answer 5

Publicness
a wider variety of people in them than are other settings

Question 6

High publicness

Answer 6

Find any member of the public.
- e.g. public parks, streets, and highways

Question 7

Middle publicness

Answer 7

People are likely to be similar on one or more characteristics.
-e.g. public meetings, racetracks, areas outside residential houses, and college campuses

Question 8

Low end publicness

Answer 8

Less public and more institutionalized, where people are linked by some common characteristic
- e.g. student housing, public transportation, restaurants, and stores

Question 9

Characteristics of a Good Setting

Answer 9

1. ability to manipulate the independent variable in the setting
   + random assignment
2. events could reasonably be expected to take place in that setting
3. permission

Question 10

The Accosting Strategy

Answer 10

select a specific subject who then becomes the target for the experimental intervention

Question 11

Problems in Field Experimentation

Answer 11

1. Construct Validity
2. Control Over Extraneous Variables
3. Vulnerability to Outside Interference

Question 12

Construct Validity Problems

Answer 12

1. using manifest variables rather than hypothetical constructs
   - solution
   + a pilot study
2. discriminant validity can be a problem
   - be influenced by other people

Question 13

Control Over Extraneous Variables Problems

Answer 13

1. IVs are confounded with the environment
2. participants characteristics might be confounded with setting

Question 14

Natural Experiments

Answer 14

• IVs = events outside their control or institutional policies
• correlational study
• no IV manipulatation
• no random assignment
• no control over extraneous variables

Question 15

Quasi-experiment

Answer 15

• IVs = existing groups
• manipulate IV
• random assignment
• no control over extraneous variables

Question 16

Nonequivalent Control Group Design

Answer 16

• experiment and control groups are similar
• not randomly assigned

Question 17

2 Cons of Nonequivalent Control Group Design

Answer 17

1. pre-existing differences
2. biased selection

Question 18

The Problem of Pre-existing Differences

Answer 18

Extreme ends
- regression to the mean at post test

Question 19

The Problem of Biased Selection

Answer 19

Participants’ personal characteristics are confounded with the IVs
- self selection
- after-the-fact selection differences
-> differential attrition

Question 20

Focal Local Controls

Answer 20

Ensure that the control and treatment groups are as similar as possible
- same location
- share important (focal) personal characteristics

Question 21

Nested ANOVA

Answer 21

can separate the variance in the dependent variable that is due to
the effect of the independent variable

Question 22

The Interrupted Time Series Design

Answer 22

• single-case approach
• baseline period
  is followed by a treatment that “interrupts” the baseline,
• followed by a period of post-treatment observations

Question 23

Equivalent time samples design

Answer 23

• original design
• withdrawing the treatment
• making observations about behavior without the treatment
• the treatment is reintroduced
• behavior is assessed

Question 24

Control Series Design

Answer 24

an interrupted time series design with the addition of one or more control cases

Question 25

Multiple time series design

Answer 25

including an additional treatment group that receives the treatment (or interruption) at a different time

Question 26

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 26

Study human behavior as it occurs in natural settings in response to natural events, uninfluenced by the researcher - maximize the ecological validity - minimizing control

Question 27

2 Dimensions of Naturalistic Observation

Answer 27

1. participation - observer takes part in the events 2. deception - observer conceals his or her identity as a researcher

Question 28

4 Categories of participant observation

Answer 28

1. Complete participation 2. Participant as observer 3. Observer as participant 4. Nonparticipant observation

Question 29

Complete Participation

Answer 29

1. full member 2. no member aware con - ethical issue of deception

Question 30

Participant as Observer

Answer 30

1. full member 2. members aware con - induce reactivity

Question 31

Observer as Participant

Answer 31

interact with members no more than necessary

Question 32

Nonparticipant Observation

Answer 32

1. no participation 2. record/observe covert/overt

Question 33

2 Axes of behavior coding

Answer 33

1. Manifest or Latent Content 2. Broad Versus Narrow Coding Categories

Question 34

manifest content

Answer 34

what can actually be observed

Question 35

latent content

Answer 35

how coders interpret observed behavior

Question 36

Broad Coding Category

Answer 36

Using relatively few high-level categories - ignoring fine distinctions between similar behaviors

Question 37

Narrow Coding Category

Answer 37

large number of categories to capture the behavior of interest

Question 38

Why is broad better than narrow?

Answer 38

1. higher reliability 2. higher inter-rater reliability

Question 39

5 Problems in Naturalistic Observation

Answer 39

1. Cognitive Biases 2. Recordkeeping 3. Reactivity 4. Influencing Events 5. Effects on the Observer

Question 40

Cognitive Biases

Answer 40

1. selective attention 2. expectations 3. reconstructive memory

Question 41

Recordkeeping

Answer 41

not always possible to record behavior as it occurs

Question 42

Reactivity

Answer 42

change behaviors to show themselves in a favorable light as they are aware of being observed

Question 43

Influencing Events

Answer 43

unintentionally influencing the people and events

Question 44

Effects on the Observer

Answer 44

Feel anxious or guilty over the deception